Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated he will not resign over ongoing student-led protests concerning education costs and corruption. Rama told Reuters that governments are changed through elections, not revolutions, and that his focus is on addressing legitimate concerns and advancing Albania's European Union membership bid.
The protests represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama's government and could impact Albania's progress in its EU accession process, which it aims to complete as early as 2028.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has insisted he will not resign over student-led demonstrations, as protesters and police clashed in the capital for a third consecutive day. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators marching around Tirana, with protests spreading to other cities. Protesters are demanding Rama’s resignation and more support for students, citing poor university conditions and high tuition fees. Rama stated that governments are changed through democratic elections, not revolutions, and that his responsibility is to listen to legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward, particularly regarding its European Union membership negotiations. He indicated a willingness to discuss the rising cost of education but condemned the violence and destruction of public property. The protests follow earlier demonstrations against a luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner. The EU's delegation in Tirana repeated its calls for de-escalation and condemned the violent escalation and destruction of property.
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